Morning light slipped through the curtain gap, hanging thinly on the window of the second-floor bedroom. The ray touched Issei's sleeping face, making him slowly frown and open his eyes.
He blinked, squinting for a moment, then turned his face away. His hand reached out, grabbing the smartphone on the bedside table.
The screen lit up. 07:00.
Issei yawned long, then stretched his body. His body still felt heavy, but lighter than the previous night. He swung his legs down from the bed, stood up slowly, then walked toward the closet to get a change of clothes. But when he tried to lift his left hand—he froze.
A red metallic glove wrapped his left hand. Its shape was unlike any ordinary accessory. It looked like a piece of armor, with a surface layered in ancient carvings and a small emerald gem embedded on the back of the hand.
Issei stood still.
"Since when did I wear this…?"
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed inside his head. Not from outside, but from within himself.
"I'm finally awake. It seems… you're my new host."
Issei flinched. "Who's that?"
"I am the Red Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch. You can call me Ddraig."
Issei was still staring at the red glove. He swallowed.
"Alright… Ddraig. I don't know what's going on, but… can you… remove this thing for a moment? I just want to take a bath. Calm down. And… so I don't stress out thinking about what just happened."
"You're a strange one," Ddraig replied with an amused tone. "But very well."
A faint red light flickered. In an instant, the iron glove vanished. Issei's left hand returned to normal.
"Thank you," said Issei quietly.
Without waiting any longer, he went to the bathroom.
Warm water slowly filled the tub. Steam rose, filling the small room. Issei soaked in silence, closing his eyes. The warmth of the water clashed with the morning chill, creating a comfort that made him momentarily forget the oddity of his life.
His thoughts slowly calmed. But the questions kept spinning in his head.
Who am I really?
After finishing his bath, he put on clean clothes and went down to the kitchen. He opened the cupboard, took one of the bentos he bought last night. No smell of rot. The contents still looked fine. Issei decided to eat it in the living room, sitting on the sofa while turning on the television.
The morning news was still broadcasting reports about Christmas celebrations. Several clips showed people praying at church, couples exchanging gifts, and children laughing with their families.
Issei ate slowly. Even though the taste wasn't anything special, his empty stomach felt quite satisfied.
After finishing, he threw the bento container into the trash and went back up to his room.
He sat in the chair in front of the study desk. While staring at the window bathed in morning sunlight, he said softly,
"Ddraig… are you still there?"
"Of course," answered the voice in his mind. "What do you want to ask?"
Issei took a breath.
"My name is Hyoudou Issei. I woke up yesterday… without remembering anything about myself. It feels strange. I still know what Christmas is, Valentine's Day, school… even everyday terms. But not a single memory about who I am, my family, or my past."
"Interesting…" murmured Ddraig. "I didn't expect the wielder of my Boosted Gear to lose his memory. This is the first time I've heard something like this. It could be due to a memory-erasing spell… or something bigger."
Issei stared at his empty hand.
"Ddraig… can you explain, slowly… why are you with me? That glove… and… why did I see internet forums yesterday about devils, fallen angels, and other beings?"
Ddraig let out a heavy sigh, then began to speak.
"It might be difficult, but I'll try to explain. First of all, you are the owner of Boosted Gear, one of the Sacred Gears created by the God of Christianity, known as the God of the Bible."
"…God?" Issei whispered.
"Yes. Sacred Gears are His man-made system given to selected humans. The purpose is so that humans can compete… or even protect themselves from supernatural beings like devils, angels, gods, even Buddhas. There are many types of Sacred Gears. The one you possess is a rare type, Boosted Gear—also known as Longinus."
"Longinus…" Issei repeated quietly.
"Boosted Gear allows you to double your power every ten seconds. The longer you fight, the stronger you become. But every power comes at a cost—in this case, your stamina."
Issei began piecing together the information in his mind. Then he asked softly,
"You said this world has beings like devils and angels… Are they real?"
"Real," Ddraig answered firmly. "And not just them. Even now, conflicts still happen. Angels, fallen angels, and devils… They are not at peace."
Issei stared blankly at the desk. His brain processed quickly.
"How long… has their conflict lasted?"
"Five hundred years. Those three races were engaged in a long war. Many died… including me."
Issei looked up sharply. "You were in the war too?"
Ddraig chuckled briefly.
"Not directly. My arch-enemy, Albion—the White Dragon, and I were fighting at that time. But our battle was too destructive, causing massive damage. The three races eventually united… and attacked us. We were defeated. Our bodies destroyed… and our souls were sealed into Sacred Gears."
Issei fell silent. The room returned to stillness.
"Then… are those the only three races? Aren't there stronger ones?"
"There are," Ddraig replied softly.
Issei turned. "Who? The gods?"
"No. I don't like admitting it, but… there are three top dragons. Tiamat, Ophis, and one more… Great Red. He doesn't live in this world. He resides in the Dimensional Gap—the space between dimensions."
"He sleeps there?" asked Issei.
"Yes. But his power surpasses common sense. Even the great devils don't dare challenge him."
Issei lowered his head, absorbing everything. "Is there… anyone stronger than Great Red?"
Ddraig stayed silent for a while, then answered with a heavy tone.
"There's one… But this information shouldn't be spread. That being… cannot die. His name is Trihexa. Also known as: 666."
Issei froze.
"Trihexa…?"
"That's not a being. It's a calamity. It has no desire other than destruction. Even Great Red and Ophis had to step in to stop it. And now… it's sealed."
Issei felt his heartbeat quicken.
"And… those races still fight each other? Even though there's a creature like that that could awaken at any time?"
"Correct. They're more occupied fighting over power, trapped in ego and old hatred. Great Red himself doesn't even care about this conflict. He sees those races only as… noisy weaklings."
Issei looked out the window. His gaze deep, sharper than before.
"So… this world keeps spinning even though a time bomb sleeps behind the seal. And they're still busy fighting like children."
He sighed softly.
"Funny. Even I, who don't know who I am, can see that foolishness."
Ddraig laughed low.
"Hahaha… I didn't expect my host this time to be so clever despite the amnesia."
Issei stood, walked slowly toward the window and stared at the pale blue sky outside.
"Then… what governs this world? Law? Morality?"
"The one who rules is the strongest," Ddraig answered firmly. "This is a world where survival of the fittest applies."
Issei closed his eyes.
"That's troublesome… But if that's how it is… then I have to survive."
Ddraig asked, "So… what will you do now?"
Issei opened his eyes, stared at the vast sky, and smiled faintly.
"What else but… become strong. Because in the end, the weak will be destroyed. And I don't want to be one of them."
Ddraig laughed.
"Hahaha! Very interesting… You might be more suitable than I thought, Hyoudou Issei."